Directions (1 to 5): Rearrange the following jumbled words/phrases to make meaningful sentences. (A) and forest conservation laws substantially (B) and water resources from the adivasis to industry (C) In a series of moves, this government has (D) diluted the Forest Rights Act and various other environmental (E) in, ...

Directions (1 to 5): Rearrange the following jumbled words/phrases to make meaningful sentences.

(A) and forest conservation laws substantially (B) and water resources from the adivasis to industry (C) In a series of moves, this government has (D) diluted the Forest Rights Act and various other environmental (E) in order to help the transfer of common land.

Directions (6 to 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the following questions African countries are fighting an addiction: import of food items, which happens at the cost of domestic farmers. Despite the unprecedented import volumes, the continent faces famine and extreme food insecurity. Countries have, ...

Directions (6 to 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the following questions

African countries are fighting an addiction: import of food items, which happens at the cost of domestic farmers. Despite the unprecedented import volumes, the continent faces famine and extreme food insecurity. Countries have started taking definitive steps to become self-sufficient in food, but the transition could be counter-productive if it is not backed by investments in agricultural infrastructure and measures to improve soil quality. When Charles Tawazadza, a farmer in eastern Zimbabwe's Middle Sabi area, tried to borrow money from the bank to finance his farming business, the bank rejected his application. He has land but doesn't have title deeds to use as collateral for the loan. Tawazadza is one of the thousands of beneficiaries of President Robert Mugabe's controversial land reform programme launched in 2000. The programme brought Zimbabwe's once vibrant agricultural sector to its knees. The government seized farms from up to 4,000 commercial white farmers but most of it was distributed to members of the ruling party. Mugabe argued that the programme was necessary to address the colonial imbalances that saw minority white farmers controlling the country's prime agricultural lands. But this terribly disrupted the agriculture economy. Before this reform, farmers of the Middle Sabi area met the country's wheat requirements; but not anymore. In just two decades, the country has become a net importer of basic crops, such as maize, which is imported from as far as Brazil and Mexico. Chronic drought and unpredictable weather due to climate change compounded the problem. Zimbabwe is no longer southern Africa's breadbasket.

Since financial resources are limited, most farms have been lying fallow. These include big farms, which once earned millions of dollars by exporting crops like sweet corn and baby corn, a variety of beans and horticultural products like Kondozi in Manicaland province. This has pushed the country into the import trap. Eddie Cross, the country's leading economist and agriculture expert says the country's agricultural output is down by about 70 per cent and Zimbabwe is importing over 80 per cent of all its foods, which are now priced at import parity. Zimbabwe's food import bill ballooned to more than US$1.5 billion at the height of the El Niño-induced drought in 2016, according to the country's Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Cross says if all food imports could be produced locally, the benefits would be huge. "Replacing the import means creating 0.35 million jobs locally and saving some US$2.5 billion per annum in foreign exchange." Take the case of the lucrative poultry business. Enock Mbendani of the Manicaland Poultry Producers Association, a group of poultry producers in Manicaland province, says there are enough locally produced poultry products for domestic consumption; but they are more costly than the imported ones. Due to the rising food import bill, there have been some efforts to make farming tenable again. But they have failed due to corruption and abuse of government facilities. For instance, in 2007, through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the government introduced the Farm Mechanisation Scheme, but it failed because most farm mechanisation resources were given to the political elite.

In the passage, what does the author mean when he says "Zimbabwe is no longer southern Africa's breadbasket"?

Zimbabwe led the African continent in bread production till recent times.

B

Bread was invented in Zimbabwe, from where it was then exported it to all other African countries.

C

Zimbabwe used to be self-sufficient in wheat production, but after the land reforms it is importing even the basic crops, such as maize.

D

Zimbabwe is the only country in the African continent which produces wheat.

E

None of the above

Ans:C

Zimbabwe used to be self-sufficient in wheat production, but after the land reforms it is importing even the basic crops, such as maize.

Question 7

Directions (6 to 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the following questions African countries are fighting an addiction: import of food items, which happens at the cost of domestic farmers. Despite the unprecedented import volumes, the continent faces famine and extreme food insecurity. Countries have, ...

Directions (6 to 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the following questions

African countries are fighting an addiction: import of food items, which happens at the cost of domestic farmers. Despite the unprecedented import volumes, the continent faces famine and extreme food insecurity. Countries have started taking definitive steps to become self-sufficient in food, but the transition could be counter-productive if it is not backed by investments in agricultural infrastructure and measures to improve soil quality. When Charles Tawazadza, a farmer in eastern Zimbabwe's Middle Sabi area, tried to borrow money from the bank to finance his farming business, the bank rejected his application. He has land but doesn't have title deeds to use as collateral for the loan. Tawazadza is one of the thousands of beneficiaries of President Robert Mugabe's controversial land reform programme launched in 2000. The programme brought Zimbabwe's once vibrant agricultural sector to its knees. The government seized farms from up to 4,000 commercial white farmers but most of it was distributed to members of the ruling party. Mugabe argued that the programme was necessary to address the colonial imbalances that saw minority white farmers controlling the country's prime agricultural lands. But this terribly disrupted the agriculture economy. Before this reform, farmers of the Middle Sabi area met the country's wheat requirements; but not anymore. In just two decades, the country has become a net importer of basic crops, such as maize, which is imported from as far as Brazil and Mexico. Chronic drought and unpredictable weather due to climate change compounded the problem. Zimbabwe is no longer southern Africa's breadbasket.

Since financial resources are limited, most farms have been lying fallow. These include big farms, which once earned millions of dollars by exporting crops like sweet corn and baby corn, a variety of beans and horticultural products like Kondozi in Manicaland province. This has pushed the country into the import trap. Eddie Cross, the country's leading economist and agriculture expert says the country's agricultural output is down by about 70 per cent and Zimbabwe is importing over 80 per cent of all its foods, which are now priced at import parity. Zimbabwe's food import bill ballooned to more than US$1.5 billion at the height of the El Niño-induced drought in 2016, according to the country's Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Cross says if all food imports could be produced locally, the benefits would be huge. "Replacing the import means creating 0.35 million jobs locally and saving some US$2.5 billion per annum in foreign exchange." Take the case of the lucrative poultry business. Enock Mbendani of the Manicaland Poultry Producers Association, a group of poultry producers in Manicaland province, says there are enough locally produced poultry products for domestic consumption; but they are more costly than the imported ones. Due to the rising food import bill, there have been some efforts to make farming tenable again. But they have failed due to corruption and abuse of government facilities. For instance, in 2007, through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the government introduced the Farm Mechanisation Scheme, but it failed because most farm mechanisation resources were given to the political elite.

According to Enock Mbendani, what is the hindrance for the local poultry products in capturing the market?

The imported poultry products are costlier in comparison to locally produced ones

B

The imported poultry products come in various varieties.

C

The local poultry products are lacking in variety.

D

The local poultry products are costlier in comparison with the imported ones.

E

People prefer imported products over local products.

Ans:D

The local poultry products are costlier in comparison with the imported ones.

Question 8

Directions (6 to 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the following questions African countries are fighting an addiction: import of food items, which happens at the cost of domestic farmers. Despite the unprecedented import volumes, the continent faces famine and extreme food insecurity. Countries have, ...

Directions (6 to 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the following questions

African countries are fighting an addiction: import of food items, which happens at the cost of domestic farmers. Despite the unprecedented import volumes, the continent faces famine and extreme food insecurity. Countries have started taking definitive steps to become self-sufficient in food, but the transition could be counter-productive if it is not backed by investments in agricultural infrastructure and measures to improve soil quality. When Charles Tawazadza, a farmer in eastern Zimbabwe's Middle Sabi area, tried to borrow money from the bank to finance his farming business, the bank rejected his application. He has land but doesn't have title deeds to use as collateral for the loan. Tawazadza is one of the thousands of beneficiaries of President Robert Mugabe's controversial land reform programme launched in 2000. The programme brought Zimbabwe's once vibrant agricultural sector to its knees. The government seized farms from up to 4,000 commercial white farmers but most of it was distributed to members of the ruling party. Mugabe argued that the programme was necessary to address the colonial imbalances that saw minority white farmers controlling the country's prime agricultural lands. But this terribly disrupted the agriculture economy. Before this reform, farmers of the Middle Sabi area met the country's wheat requirements; but not anymore. In just two decades, the country has become a net importer of basic crops, such as maize, which is imported from as far as Brazil and Mexico. Chronic drought and unpredictable weather due to climate change compounded the problem. Zimbabwe is no longer southern Africa's breadbasket.

Since financial resources are limited, most farms have been lying fallow. These include big farms, which once earned millions of dollars by exporting crops like sweet corn and baby corn, a variety of beans and horticultural products like Kondozi in Manicaland province. This has pushed the country into the import trap. Eddie Cross, the country's leading economist and agriculture expert says the country's agricultural output is down by about 70 per cent and Zimbabwe is importing over 80 per cent of all its foods, which are now priced at import parity. Zimbabwe's food import bill ballooned to more than US$1.5 billion at the height of the El Niño-induced drought in 2016, according to the country's Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Cross says if all food imports could be produced locally, the benefits would be huge. "Replacing the import means creating 0.35 million jobs locally and saving some US$2.5 billion per annum in foreign exchange." Take the case of the lucrative poultry business. Enock Mbendani of the Manicaland Poultry Producers Association, a group of poultry producers in Manicaland province, says there are enough locally produced poultry products for domestic consumption; but they are more costly than the imported ones. Due to the rising food import bill, there have been some efforts to make farming tenable again. But they have failed due to corruption and abuse of government facilities. For instance, in 2007, through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the government introduced the Farm Mechanisation Scheme, but it failed because most farm mechanisation resources were given to the political elite.

President Robert Mugabe's land reform programmes enjoyed resounding success.

B

The efforts in making farming tenable again have failed due to corruption and abuse of government facilities.

C

Chronic drought and unpredictable weather due to climate change have helped in increasing the yield in Zimbabwe.

D

The food import bill is reducing as government's efforts are working out.

E

Obtaining a loan from a bank in Zimbabwe has become easier after the land reforms

Ans:B

The efforts in making farming tenable again have failed due to corruption and abuse of government facilities.

Question 9

Directions (6 to 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the following questions African countries are fighting an addiction: import of food items, which happens at the cost of domestic farmers. Despite the unprecedented import volumes, the continent faces famine and extreme food insecurity. Countries have, ...

Directions (6 to 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the following questions

African countries are fighting an addiction: import of food items, which happens at the cost of domestic farmers. Despite the unprecedented import volumes, the continent faces famine and extreme food insecurity. Countries have started taking definitive steps to become self-sufficient in food, but the transition could be counter-productive if it is not backed by investments in agricultural infrastructure and measures to improve soil quality. When Charles Tawazadza, a farmer in eastern Zimbabwe's Middle Sabi area, tried to borrow money from the bank to finance his farming business, the bank rejected his application. He has land but doesn't have title deeds to use as collateral for the loan. Tawazadza is one of the thousands of beneficiaries of President Robert Mugabe's controversial land reform programme launched in 2000. The programme brought Zimbabwe's once vibrant agricultural sector to its knees. The government seized farms from up to 4,000 commercial white farmers but most of it was distributed to members of the ruling party. Mugabe argued that the programme was necessary to address the colonial imbalances that saw minority white farmers controlling the country's prime agricultural lands. But this terribly disrupted the agriculture economy. Before this reform, farmers of the Middle Sabi area met the country's wheat requirements; but not anymore. In just two decades, the country has become a net importer of basic crops, such as maize, which is imported from as far as Brazil and Mexico. Chronic drought and unpredictable weather due to climate change compounded the problem. Zimbabwe is no longer southern Africa's breadbasket.

Since financial resources are limited, most farms have been lying fallow. These include big farms, which once earned millions of dollars by exporting crops like sweet corn and baby corn, a variety of beans and horticultural products like Kondozi in Manicaland province. This has pushed the country into the import trap. Eddie Cross, the country's leading economist and agriculture expert says the country's agricultural output is down by about 70 per cent and Zimbabwe is importing over 80 per cent of all its foods, which are now priced at import parity. Zimbabwe's food import bill ballooned to more than US$1.5 billion at the height of the El Niño-induced drought in 2016, according to the country's Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Cross says if all food imports could be produced locally, the benefits would be huge. "Replacing the import means creating 0.35 million jobs locally and saving some US$2.5 billion per annum in foreign exchange." Take the case of the lucrative poultry business. Enock Mbendani of the Manicaland Poultry Producers Association, a group of poultry producers in Manicaland province, says there are enough locally produced poultry products for domestic consumption; but they are more costly than the imported ones. Due to the rising food import bill, there have been some efforts to make farming tenable again. But they have failed due to corruption and abuse of government facilities. For instance, in 2007, through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the government introduced the Farm Mechanisation Scheme, but it failed because most farm mechanisation resources were given to the political elite

Directions (6 to 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the following questions African countries are fighting an addiction: import of food items, which happens at the cost of domestic farmers. Despite the unprecedented import volumes, the continent faces famine and extreme food insecurity. Countries have, ...

Directions (6 to 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the following questions

African countries are fighting an addiction: import of food items, which happens at the cost of domestic farmers. Despite the unprecedented import volumes, the continent faces famine and extreme food insecurity. Countries have started taking definitive steps to become self-sufficient in food, but the transition could be counter-productive if it is not backed by investments in agricultural infrastructure and measures to improve soil quality. When Charles Tawazadza, a farmer in eastern Zimbabwe's Middle Sabi area, tried to borrow money from the bank to finance his farming business, the bank rejected his application. He has land but doesn't have title deeds to use as collateral for the loan. Tawazadza is one of the thousands of beneficiaries of President Robert Mugabe's controversial land reform programme launched in 2000. The programme brought Zimbabwe's once vibrant agricultural sector to its knees. The government seized farms from up to 4,000 commercial white farmers but most of it was distributed to members of the ruling party. Mugabe argued that the programme was necessary to address the colonial imbalances that saw minority white farmers controlling the country's prime agricultural lands. But this terribly disrupted the agriculture economy. Before this reform, farmers of the Middle Sabi area met the country's wheat requirements; but not anymore. In just two decades, the country has become a net importer of basic crops, such as maize, which is imported from as far as Brazil and Mexico. Chronic drought and unpredictable weather due to climate change compounded the problem. Zimbabwe is no longer southern Africa's breadbasket.

Since financial resources are limited, most farms have been lying fallow. These include big farms, which once earned millions of dollars by exporting crops like sweet corn and baby corn, a variety of beans and horticultural products like Kondozi in Manicaland province. This has pushed the country into the import trap. Eddie Cross, the country's leading economist and agriculture expert says the country's agricultural output is down by about 70 per cent and Zimbabwe is importing over 80 per cent of all its foods, which are now priced at import parity. Zimbabwe's food import bill ballooned to more than US$1.5 billion at the height of the El Niño-induced drought in 2016, according to the country's Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Cross says if all food imports could be produced locally, the benefits would be huge. "Replacing the import means creating 0.35 million jobs locally and saving some US$2.5 billion per annum in foreign exchange." Take the case of the lucrative poultry business. Enock Mbendani of the Manicaland Poultry Producers Association, a group of poultry producers in Manicaland province, says there are enough locally produced poultry products for domestic consumption; but they are more costly than the imported ones. Due to the rising food import bill, there have been some efforts to make farming tenable again. But they have failed due to corruption and abuse of government facilities. For instance, in 2007, through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the government introduced the Farm Mechanisation Scheme, but it failed because most farm mechanisation resources were given to the political elite

What, according to the passage, is the major benefit of locally producing the imported food crops, in the case of Zimbabwe?